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An amazing example of sci-fi RPG at its finest.

Mass Effect 2 is not a good game, it is a great game with many colorful characters. L'iara and the Shadow Broker become embroiled in a delightful side quest, but onto the main story. Shepard and the crew of the Normandy SR 1 are travelling to a troublesome planet, whereby Shepard must try and repair the SR 1, until his/her spacesuit malfunctions, and Shepard is killed.

Mass Effect 2 truly starts when Shepard is brought back to life and you must convince the Citadel Council that the Reaper threat is truly real. Gameplay is solid and fluid and dialogue has been greatly improved on the previous game, and truly shows.

To me, Mass Effect 2 is possibly the better of the other two Mass Effect titles, it replaces vehicle surveying with a better and more efficient ship surveying system. The story line can be a little slow and pacing is certainly an issue, but is still moderately better than the other Mass Effect titles.

Mass Effect 2 is quite inexpensive now, and can be picked up from a local video game shop, Amazon or eBay, in an attempt to get the best bargain.

To conclude, Mass Effect 2 is a great game that will surely entice any RPG or Sci-fi enthusiasts, as it is a truly great example of a sci-fi RPG, which I would thoroughly recommend buying, especially if Mass Effect 1 gave you a good thrill.

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Ah yes reapers, we have dismissed that claim

I first tried the demo of ME2 shortly after the game was released, at first I didn't enjoy the demo but I didn't give it enough time as I believe I only played the Normandy part of the demo, the second time I played the demo I played the full thing and it actually made me go out and buy the full game.

I find the combat system very effective and it actually allows me to challenge myself with the different difficulty levels available.

I like the story the most as it had me hooked from the beginning, the soundtrack of the game only adds to that and makes me want to play it over and over again (I've lost count the amount of times I've played this game).

The soundtrack is another thing that makes me play the game more often as it really adds to the experience.

The choices also make the game more interesting to play and also allows you to play through the game multiple times and have a completely different experience each time.

The DLC available also adds more missions and even two extra squad members, this also adds extra dialogue while exploring the Normandy and other explorable hubs.

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An unforgettable gaming experience, open to much replayability

To boldly go where no-one has been before, and shoot great big holes in things--------------------------------------------------------------

My favourite Genre of game is RPG. Role playing games, when done well, have excellent and interesting storylines that are well paced and engaging. They are customisable in terms of statistics and abilities and contain NPCs (Non-player characters) that you actually care about. The best of them contain believable gaming worlds that feel immersive.

The PS3 has always, always suffered when it comes to RPGs. There quite simply are not that many to choose from. What there has been, have usually been lacklustre with just the excellent Fallout and Skyrim in a pantheon of patheticness.

Bioware have an enviable pedigree for RPGs. Their best included the Baldur's gate series, Neverwinter nights and Knights of the old republics. The original Mass effect was hit and miss. The story showed promise, particularly with the NPCs. It even introduced the concept of computerised side-boob, but the gaming mechanics were inelegant and the vehicle sections were tedious.

Then came Mass effect 2, which most folks expected to be just more of the same. It blew all of us away, becoming one of the highest rated games ever made.

Cool Alien chicks-------------------------

It is far in the future. Humans are the new kids on the intergalactic block. That doesn't mean that they dance really badly and have no singing talent, it means that there are a whole bunch of older races out there that are unsure and untrusting of these Johnny-come-latelies. Commander Shepherd (you) became the first human member of the elite group known as the Spectres in Mass Effect.

Shepherd can be male or female. In the brilliant intro sequence, you are acquainted with a new enemy. The Reaper known as Sovereign, that huge living machine you killed at the end of the first game, used the Geth as its pawns. But there is a whole Reaper fleet in dark space, and they have found new pawns, the Collectors. And the thing they have chosen to collect are humans. Wholesale.

It's up to you to stop them. Oh, did I mention that you're dead?

It's difficult to come up with unique races that are believable. Bioware, unlike in the ho-hum Dragon Age universe, has managed to create some memorable races for Mass Effect. Given many of your crew are aliens that is no bad thing at all. I will summarise the major ones:

Asari - All Asari have feminine appearance and characteristics, but are capable of reproduction with any other race regardless of sex. The child will always be an Asari, but may pick up traits from the alien parent. Reproducing with another Asari is frowned upon as the result is not considered to add anything to the existing gene pool. Asari excel in most things; particularly biotics. A telekinekic power that is part biological, part mechanical.

Drell - Drell are a reptilian race from a dying planet. Rescued by the Hanar, a spacefaring civilisation, they tend to be deeply religious and few leave the Hanar world, where they have fully integrated. Those that do are unable to settle there.

Salarians - Warm blooded Amphibians operating at a hyperactive rate. They hardly sleep and tend to be highly intelligent. This comes at a price, with few Salarians living beyond 40. Excellent researchers and scientists with photographic memories, they were responsible for raising the Krogan to stop the insect-like Rachni, threatening the galaxy. They were also responsible for the creation of the Genophage when the Krogan proved hard to contain.

Turians - An avian species with a militaristic bent, Turians are not warlike like the Krogan, but are naturally disciplined in a way that makes them good soldiers. They also have a bitter history with Humans that is only slowly healing.

Quarians - Nomadic aliens, forced from their homeworld by their own creations, the machines known as Geth that they tried to destroy when they became self-aware. Now they hide beneath encounter suits, having lost much of their immune systems through generations in space. Quarians live on an interstellar flotilla, maintaining it through direct trade and pilgrimages during which they offer their abilities to other races.

Geth - Representing the bulk of your enemies in the first mass effect, the Geth not only won the war forced upon them, they became increasingly more powerful. Their only experience of Organics a negative one. Upon encountering the Reaper Sovereign, they split into two groups. One that chose to follow "the old machines" and one that did not.

Krogan - Humped bipeds weighing close to a metric ton. The planet they come from is host to a number of extremely aggressive species, none more so than the Krogan who, before discovery by the Salarians had turned their own world into a smoking cesspit.

Once saviors by defeating the Rachni, Krogan population numbers off-world exploded. Born to fight, they quickly became conquerors. The "solution" was the Genophage. A biologically engineered virus that does not kill its host, but ensures only one in a hundred births live. The surviving Krogan have become bitter outcasts, living only for the next battle.

Blast it, fry it, freeze it, shock it. Technologic.---------------------------------------Onto game mechanics. Mass Effect 2 gets it just right. It has fine honed the character classes and skill trees into something that feels balanced. You get the opportunity to change the appearance of your Shepherd on creation, though the result that looked so good on the intro screen can often look like Quasimodo once the game starts. An option to redesign in-game would have been most welcome.

Most classes have access to a certain pool of common powers, such as ammo of the deep-freeze or deep fry variety. There are other ammo types, but the explanation would mean a very long review. Each class has powers unique to it.

The Adept can suck enemies into a singularity. The Engineer can send out a floating combat drone. The infiltrator can become invisible, breaking the cloak for a perfect shot. A sentinel can enhance his or her own armour. A Soldier's adrenaline rush slows time and enhances damage. A Vangard's charge encases them in biotic energy and throws them at high speed into a target, causing massive impact damage but leaving them exposed and in the middle of some fairly narked-off enemies. Fun for everyone!

There is a good cover system in effect, which allows you to hide behind obstacles to avoid the worst of the incoming fire. Useful while you figure out what power to use for that situation. You can still be hit behind cover if the attacker is higher than you are.

All your NPCs are directly controllable in battle. If not controlled, they will use their powers as they have been instructed to. You can override this at any point. As some powers can be combined for extra damage, it's often best to. As you pause the game when the selection wheel is up, you don't get mullered while making your choice.

You have a whole pool of collectable NPCs, though you are limited to two on any one mission. All the cutscenes feature the ones that you've chosen. Dialog and extra scenes can also be triggered dependant on who you have where and when.

All have a rewarding backstory that unlocks extra powers and outfits, and gives them greater odds of survival in the game's legendary (and unsavable during) suicide mission. But don't worry. It's possible to survive the game with a full complement. It's also possible to lose almost everyone.

How's that lift powered, coal?---------------------------------------

The PS3 had to wait, but got an edition of Mass Effect 2 with the latest graphics engine and free expansion packs, including extra characters. The excellent Kasumi's memories, Lair of the Shadow Broker and the humdrum overlord. You have a number of romance options available, including same-sex. That might raise a few eyebrows, particularly for a game rated 15, but I guess we are all in 2013. If you can shoot numerous aliens in the face, it's hard to argue for excluding something that's not shown in any graphic way.

It's hard to find something not to like in this game. Within your starship, transitioning between decks takes bloody ages, for a reason I've never been able to figure out. There's also a system in place where you have to scan planets for useful ores and elements that can get tedious.

The graphics in this game are jaw-droppingly stunning in places. The level of detail on armour, facial details, background effects and some great locations. All with no discernable lag. There are plenty of trophies to earn which also enhances replayability. The voice acting is never anything less than excellent. Martin Sheen as the illusive man frequently steals the show.

The plot and pacing is perfection. The game's potential length offers around thirty hours of solid experience. You will feel like you've made some real friends along the way, and best of all - the choices you made will follow you into the conclusion to the series. The not as great, but still enjoyable Mass Effect 3. But out of all three games, this is the clear winner.

For a mere £12, this is a must-have game for the PS3 and one of the best RPGs ever made.

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save the galaxy on this epic quest

I adore this game. As soon as I played mass effect 2 I had to go back and play 1 then couldn't wait for the third however, overall ME2 in my view is the best.

Mass Effect is a space opera role playing game made by Bioware. You play commander Shepard and you lead your team on your mission to save the galaxy. On your journey you will meet plenty of diverse characters complete plenty of side missions and have a great time! The choices you make throughout the game will effect how the game pans out and will effect your characters rep so you decide if you want to be a hero - paragon or a risk taker - renegade.

One of the best features of this game is its diversity. You can have a choice of character and build how your character appears in the game. This really appeals to me because you can be a female character. If you like you can also have relationships with other species or genders. You can choose the back ground of your character i.e where they grew up and what skills they specialize in and if you have played ME1 you can carry your choices through. If you haven't played ME1 and are playing on the PS3 you can make your choices by way of a comic book at the start of the game which tells you the back story and you make your decisions here.

The combat was fun, fast and exciting. During your missions you can decide which companions you take with you and you choose how and when to use their special attacks.

Another strong point of this game is the interaction with your colleagues on the ship. To win the loyalty of your colleagues you can complete side missions for them which gives you a bit of background to their story. I really believed I was commander Shepherd and cared about my team mates.

The voice acting is top notch in this game and I would highly recommend playing the female Shep as I preferred the voice acting with this character. Martin Sheen features as the illusive man which is very cool.

I have become a massive fan of ME and have even recently purchased a ME tee shirt from the Bioware store - sad I know but I do believe I am commander Shep!

I love this game and the characters in it and I wish to share this with the world please buy ME2 and play your heart out but remember their can be only one commander Shepard.

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A very good Si - fi adventure game.

Introduction

Welcome to my review for Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect 2 is the second instalment in the Mass Effect series. Mass effect 2 has been released for Windows PC, Xbox 360 and PS3. This is my review for the PS3 version of the game.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Good gameplayLots of world to exploreGood storylineYour choices from Mass Effect one carry overFeels ahead of the times in video gamesImproved shooting

Cons

Not as original as the first Mass Effect

My opinion

I feel that this game is better than the first Mass Effect game, it has improved leaps and bounds. I has entertained me and I feel that it has lived up to being a good sequel.

Gameplay

The gameplay is top stuff I feel like Bioware have made good improvements from the First Mass effect it's good that even know Mass Effect one was not released for PS3 it's good that Bioware have noticed that improvements were needed to be made.

Mass Effect plays a lot like a movie plays in the cinema, the plot is based around the games characters and the effects that your choices can have upon them. You can be their friend, kill them lol well your choices certainly effect the player that you become and your choices effect the games world.

The adventure is a big adventure, it feels like there is a lot to do and it feels vast and open like you have all the time in the world which is a nice thing.

Graphics

It's an amazing game, the game looks amazing. The special effects really got me, the flash from a gun or a big explosion.

Current Prices

Game.co.uk £12.98Play.com £13.65Thehut.com £14.95Amazon.co.uk £14.99

Overall

I feel like this is one of the best RPG's that I have played. What makes this game so good is the fact that it has lots of good points going for it and all of these points all add together and make a great example of a RPG that is action filled. It's a shame that the Original Mass Effect never made it to the PS3 but if you buy this game then it will make up for it.

*I agree that this review can be used on Ciao, Dooyoo and other reviewing sites

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Simply awesome, you will not play a better game

Few games have achieved a level of brilliance which has been established by the sublime Mass Effect 2. From its jaw dropping opening sequence, to the dramatic and enthralling conclusion Bioware have achieved something not even games like Grand Theft Auto and the Fallout series have. Mass Effect 2 mixes action with an epic story of an ancient threat known as the Reapers which are aiming at the complete destruction of all sentient life in the galaxy. However where Mass Effect 2 succeeds compared to its predecessor which although a brilliant game is in the game play department, which has had a thorough overhaul for the sequel. Combat now feel much more like a Gears of Wars style third person shooter, with the removal of the frustrating over-heating of weapons and the ability to move into cover. This has made the combat flow much better compared to the previous game and adds to your immersion as Commander Sheppard. The PlayStation 3 version of the game is running on the Mass Effect 3 engine which results in a better frame rate and resolution than its x-box counterpart, however, having played both I didn't find the difference to be really noticeable. This version of the game includes the downloadable content, Lair of the Shadow Broker, Fire-walker, Kasumi's Stolen Memory and Zaeed's Revenge. If you a Mass Effect buff like me this is an excellent extra to an already 25 - 30 hour game, however the most important downloadable content, The Arrival, which bridges the gap in storyline between Mass Effect 2 and 3 is not included but available on the PlayStation Network. This game is simply the best available at the moment and can be picked up quite cheaply, so if you haven't already pick this game up in time for Mass Effect 3 released in March 2012. 10/10

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One of the best experiences on PS3

Rookie gamers often say that role-playing games are all about purple elves in bright robes and magical powers. But when Mass Effect was released in 2007 on Xbox 360, it proved those people wrong - it's based in space and features a huge universe. It was excellent, so making a sequel would be a huge challenge for the developer, BioWare. After all, some RPGs aren't always very lucky when it comes to sequels, as shown by the disappointing Deus Ex: Invisible War. But Mass Effect 2 is a worthy sequel, and then some.

==Story==

It's 2183 and you are Commander Shepard, Captain of a huge fleet called the Normandy. When your ship is attacked, the crew are forced to evacuate in escape pods but when you stay to rescue the ship's pilot, Joker, you are pulled into space with no air to breathe in.

Two years later, Shepard is woken up in a facility under attack. After meeting Miranda and Jacob, you discover that it is a Cerberus facility and you were brought back to life by the Lazarus Project. In return, you are asked to discover why human colonies across the galaxy are disappearing.

==Gameplay==

Mass Effect to uses third-person shooter gameplay, and adds some unique features in with it. Pressing R2 brings up the 'Power Wheel', from which you select a power for any one of your squadmates, launching some devastating attacks on your enemy.

Wait, did I say squadmates? Yes, in Mass Effect 2, you bring two people along with you on every mission. You can command them to take cover or fire at a certain enemy. This system works well, making combat a bit more varied.

Different planets can be explored using the Galaxy Map. At first, this seems quite daunting; there are plenty of galaxies to explore, with loads of planets in each one. You soon get used to it though. On each of these planets, you can mine resources which you can use to develop weapons, armour upgrades and prototypes. It may be one of the weaker parts in the game, but worth your time if you have completed every mission and assignment.

Completing missions earns you 'squad points'. You can use these to level up your team's skills. There are several skills to upgrade, like ammo types and powers, but there aren't as many as there are in Mass Effect.

==Graphics==

The game is definitely a looker, and arguably features some of the best visuals on PS3. The environments look fabulous, and the facial detail is exceptional. The graphics are much improved over the original Mass Effect on Xbox 360. However, BioWare stated that the graphics would be better here than on Xbox 360, but I don't see much differences other than lighting. There's not much more to add, but to sum up: the graphics are immense anyway.

==Sound==

Every aspect of the audio is great. The music is pretty epic, particularly dramatic in fierce battles but a bit softer in the quieter moments of the game. The voice acting stays consistently good throughout and with hundreds of lines acted through the whole of the game, you could think that it gets a bit worse towards the end. But it simply doesn't.

==Content==

I think the BBFC 15 rating suits the game, but the PEGI 18 rating is a bit extreme, even if this is worse than the first Mass Effect in terms of content. Blood splatters on the walls and floors when you are shot and there are some scenes that may disturb people of about nine years and under. There is also a lot more swearing; there are uses of f**k, s*it and bas*ard throughout. I recommend that no one under the age of ten plays this, although I already know that the majority of gamers that age will have games more violent than this.

==Summary==

Mass Effect 2 is an amazing game overall. Combat is superb, and the powers system mixes things up to make it a lot different from traditional third-person shooters. The storyline is great, even if it doesn't pick up straight away. PS3 users also get an advantage over Xbox 360 owners, because the game comes with a free Cerberus Pack download which includes a comic telling you what happened in Mass Effect 2, new weapons and more. The visuals are beautiful, and the audio is perfect. Mass Effect 2 is essential RPG gaming on PS3 and at £20 with more than 30 hours of gameplay, it's definitely worth your money.

Thanks for reading! This review is also posted on Ciao under my name 'YoshiCheesePuff' :-)

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BEST TACTICAL RPG SHOOTER EVER!

It is finally here! Mass Effect 2 has arrived to PS3 a year after it was released on Xbox 360 and PC. This addition to PS3 I suspect will go down very well.

Mass Effect 2 is a tactical RPG shooter, the game revolves around Commander Shepard, previously the hero of all humanity in the game before this. The game begins with your ship, the Normandy, getting attacked and destroyed by an unidentified vessel and end up getting killed. But a pro humanity group called Cerberus brings you back to life and 'persuade' you to work for them in discovering who and what has been abducting human colonies on the outskirts of the alliance's region of control. They send you to recruit extremely dangerous and useful humans and aliens to figure out what is happening in the human colonies.

The RPG aspect of the game is the simple, yet outstanding levelling, weapon and armour selections. When you level up you get 2 skill points to spend on upgraded powers whether combat, tech or biotic. When exploring planets you will find upgrades with which you can research later in the game to upgrade Commander Shepard, your team mates and also your ship. You find the upgrade materials, palladium, platinum, iridium and element zero by scanning planets. There is also a morality system which unlocks conversation options, you can increases your paragon (good) or renegade (evil) by helping civilians out or by shooting them in cold blood, there are also many different ways you can up it.

The game will take roughly 20+ hours to complete the main but you can then complete the side-missions which could take an additional 20+ hours. The controls are similar for an ordinary shooter when you are in combat but there are a couple of things like the use of powers which could take a while to get used to. The characters are all very believable on their actions and emotions, this is enhanced with the quality of the graphics which are amazing.